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Mr. Bence’s Secret Sorrow
The testimony that Lizzie Borden tried to procure Prussic Acid at Smith’s pharmacy on the day before the murder has long been an exciting prospect to ponder regarding Lizzie’s possible premeditated attempt on the lives of her parents. Eli Bence, under oath was prepared to testify that Lizzie did enter his store between 10:30 and 11 a.m. on the 3rd of August, and would later identify her by voice and sight. What a bitter blow to Mr. Bence when his evidence was not allowed at the Grand Jury trial as the Bordens were not poisoned and the incident “too far removed in time”! Bence was married two times, his last wife being a Maxfield of Fairhaven, which is where today we find the little family. Eli died in Pittsfield, Massachusetts but made his way back near the town where his evidence was not wanted in the end. He is buried with his wife and little girl, in Riverside Cemetery Section 6 Lot 111. Entering the main gate, take the first right and follow the wall about half way down, look left to see a stone marked Bourgeault to find the Maxfield/Bence lot just behind. The sad little story, not known , was the death of his little Priscilla, buried next to her mother. -
Hunting for Hosea
If one is seeking the final resting place of Hosea M. Knowlton, famous prosecutor for the state of Massachusetts in the Borden trial of 1893, The site called the Political Graveyard might be the place to start. http://politicalgraveyard.com/ Here’s what they have to say:“Knowlton, Hosea M. — of Massachusetts. Massachusetts state attorney general, 1894-1902. Burial location unknown. ” The ultimate resource book on the book, Rebello’s Lizzie Borden Past and Present has the same thing to say. And so Hosea has “gone missing” for quite awhile. There has even been some confusion about whether or not he died in Marion , Maine or Marion, Massachusetts. Knowing the temperature in Maine in December, it would be a good bet it was Massachusetts. Although born in Maine in 1847, it was the State of Massachusetts where Hosea Knowlton left his mark both during and after the Borden trial both as a respected attorney in New Bedford and Attorney General after Pillsbury.
As luck would have it, while visiting New Bedford recently hunting for Hosea’s final resting place, a thin card tucked away in the old card file at the Rural Cemetery (also listed as New Bedford Cemetery in directories on Rockdale and Dartmouth Sts.) revealed that Mr. Knowlton, alas, is not reposing for all eternity beneath the soil of New Bedford. Lot # 287 lists him as the lot owner and the following as buried there:
Issac Knowlton
Franz Knowlton
Nellie Knowlton
Mary F. Knowlton (d. July 7, 1902)
Mary A. & Edward Rich
The faded card reveals Hosea died on December 18th, and was “removed” to Boston. Naturally thinking that Mount Auburn would be the spot for a reknown attorney, the next call to Mount Auburn proved a dead end , until the office clerk, intrigued by the Lizzie Borden story, suggested a call to Forest Hills in the Jamaica Plains section of Boston, another prestigious burial ground nearly equal to the grandeur of Mount Auburn. And it was there that Hosea was found at last- not buried beneath a monument of marble, but scattered to the four winds for all time. Just two days after Christmas, the crematorium at Forest Hills received the long, black, cloth-covered coffin from E.T. Wilson Funeral Home, still in business after 7 generations. A call to Wilson’s, on County Street in New Bedford confirmed that the information was correct.
Also for some years, the state of Knowlton’s demise was disputed. A call to the Marion, Massachusetts town clerk confirmed that Hosea had passed away from a massive stroke on Union Street, December 18, 1902, although his summer home was near the Tabor academy on Front Street. Today Union Street is no more in Marion.
Courtesy of Len Rebello today, a quote from p. 60 New Bedford Lawyers of the Past by William M. Emery 1905 “”.. He died at his Marion, Massachusettss home Dec 18, 1902, from a shock sustained shortly after Thanksgiving. Funeral Services were held in the Universalist Church in this city on Dec, 22, and all the lawyers’ offices in New Bedford closed that afternoon a a mark of respect. By his request the ashes of the deceased attorney were scattered over the waters of the bay at Marion (Massachusetts) His name is inscribed on a ceneotaph in Rural Cemetery where repose the ashes of Mrs. Knowlton., …”
And so, for lovers of mysteries, now it remains to find out why Hosea Knowlton did not want to lie beside his wife in New Bedford, who had preceeded him in death by five months- that may be another story!
Knowlton summer home on Front Street
The fishing harbor, Marion, where Lizzie was fond of visiting to fish and stay at Dr. Handy’s cottage. Mr. Knowlton may not have gotten entirely away from Miss Borden, after all.
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A House of Mourning-A House of Women
The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast on Second Street will be presenting a new re-enactment this year featuring for the first time, an all-female cast. The date is August 5, 1892. Andrew and Abby Borden have been murdered the previous day and their remains lie waiting in the diningroom to receive the tender ministrations of Mr. Winward, the mortician. Emma has returned from Fairhaven, Alice Russell, trusted family friend of many years, is upstairs tending to Lizzie who is prone on her fainting couch, fanning her flushed cheeks. Uncle John has gone downstreet under the watchful eye of the police and the women are all alone in the house draped in heavy mourning. A breeze stirs the black ribbons on the wreath of white lilies on the door.
In the kitchen Emma and Mrs. Churchill are preparing some refreshment for the crowds of funeral attendees who are expected to arrive by 10 a.m. the next day. Bridget is in a hurry to get up to her old room on the third floor to pack up her meager belongings and send her trunk across the street. The clock on the sitting room mantel has been stopped at 11 a.m. and portraits of Abby and Andrew, draped in black crape stare down from the black mantel at the spot where, on the morrow, two long black cloth-covered coffins will lay. The house is eerie, hushed and silent as moats of dust, perfumed by the heavy scent of lilies fills the room . . . . .
Call Hours are at 11- 3 p.m.
